Metal strip processing apparatus



Feb. 5, 1946. E. R. MUDDIMAN 2,394,465

METAL STRIP PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 1, 1945 N i, Q $2 w r 5 E: "1

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% Z Z'BYI Hi ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 5, 1946 2,394,466 METAL STRIP PROCESSING APPARATUS Earl] R. Mnddiman, Wilkinsburg, Pa., assignor to Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporatioma corporation of New Jersey.

Application October 1, 1943, Serial No. 504.631

1 Claim.

This invention is concerned with the problem of Joining metal strip lengths, so that they may be processed as a continuous strip, and thereafter shearing the joined lengths so as to remove the joints.

A specific example of the invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the machine; and

Figures 2 and 3 are wiring diagrams.

Mor specifically speaking, the drawing shows uncoilers l and 2 feeding strip lengths S to a shear 3 which squares the ends of the lengths so that, upon leaving the shear, they may be successively welded end-to-end by a welder 4, whereby the various strip lengths can be fed continuously like a single strip during processing. The welded joints must be eventually cut from the lengths since these joints represent scrap. Other types of joints present a similar situation. Therefore, the joined lengths eventually feed, after processing, to a shear 5. Prior to this invention this shear 5 had to be manually operated so as to shear the lengths once in front of each joint and once behind each joint, to remove the joint.

According to this invention a punch 6 is located at the welder 4 and functions, either automatically in cooperation with welding operations or manually, to punch a hole in the lengths in front of each joint made by the welder. Thusly, the lengths are marked. Upon reaching the flying shear 5 the punched holes, forming the marks, register with a light beam from a light source 1 directed to a photoelectric cell 9, the lengths normally interrupting this light beam ex.-

cepting upon registration of the punched holes so as as to permit its passage.

Referring now to the wiring diagrams, the flying shear 5 is worked by an electric motor In powered by power lines I I through relay contacts l2. This motor is provided with the usual brake solenoid 13 powered by power lines 84 through relay contacts l5, the brake bein of the ordinary type biased to braking position and adapted to release upon energization by closing of the contacts 15.

Control circuit power lines power the light source I and a conventional amplifier and relay arrangement tor the photoelectric cell 9, the arrangement being such that contacts I8 are closed when the photoelectric cell receives light from the light source I, which occurs, of-course, up registration of the punched holes with the light beam from the light source I. when this occurs. the contacts 18 close so as to energize two time delay relay solenoids I2 and 20, th time delay relay. having the solenoid l9, being arranged to close its contacts 21 and 22 at that time. Upon the closing of the contacts 2| and 22 the solenoid 23 of the relay having the contacts I2 is energized so that the motor to starts and the shear 5 operates to shear the strip once, the contacts 22 energizing the relay solenoid 24 of the relay,

' in advance of the welded joint joining the strip lengths. r

The strip lengths continue to feed through the shear 5, and the time delay relay having the solenoid 20 is set so that as the back or the joint Just clears shearing position respecting the shear 5, the contacts 25 and 28 01 this relay close so as to reenergize the solenoids 23 and 24, causing operation of the shear ,5 as previously explained, and, after a time interval sufllcient to eflect a single shearing action of the shear 5, these contacts 25 and 25 open so as to stop the shear 5.

It is apparent from the foregoing that as the strip lengths are joined and marked at the welder 4, processed, and eventually arrive at the shear 5, the joints are automatically cut from the strip lengths so that the portions of the latter marred by the joints are removed automatically therefrom.

I claim:

Apparatus comprising the combination or means for making Joints between the ends of a plurality of metal strip lengths so they can be fed continuously like a single strip during processing, means for marking the strip lengths near the Joints between their ends, a shear, means for eventually feeding the joined strip lengths through the shear, a power source for the shear, a unit associated with the shear for operation by passage of the marks on the strip lengths, and means operated by the unit for connecting the power source to the shear at spaced time intervals causing shearing oi the strip lengths adjacent the beginnings and endings of the joints between their ends, the'means for marking the strip lengths being a punch punching holes in the strip lengths, and the unit being a light source arranged to pass a light beam through the punched holes as they register with the beam in conjunctlon with a light responsive unit actuated by the beam passing through the punched holes.

EARLL R. MUDDIMAN. 

